Being a camper, you cannot bring unlimited amount of water with you on a camping trip. It means that you need to know the method of purifying water. There are three main methods to purify water and make it perfect for drinking.

Boiling the Water

The easiest and perhaps the most common method of purifying water is to boil it. Boiling can help killing bacteria that is found in lake and river water. To purify water, it is essential to keep it at rolling boil for fifteen to twenty minutes. If water is muddy and cloudy, you should boil it for thirty minutes. After such a long time, residue will settle into the bottom of container and you will easily strain clear and purified water. Before drinking boiled water, cool it to air temperature.

Using Bleach

Cleaning substances such as common bleach can also be used to purify water. If you have a gallon of unpurified river water for instance, one or two teaspoons o bleach will be enough for purification. After pouring bleach in water, stir the water well so that bleach can do its job throughout the container. It is even better to close the container tightly and turn it upside down for a couple of minutes.

Before using this method of purifying water, make sure that you don’t have any reactions to bleach. Also keep in mind that bleach will leave a chlorinated taste in water. Another thing that needs consideration is that most of people may assume that using more bleach will make water safer but it is wrong. But in fact, exceeding bleach amount in water will increase taste of chlorine and you won’t be able to drink water.

Using Purification Tablets

Water purification tablets are available at sporting goods stores so you can get them easily. These tablets are very effective and do not leave bad taste in water. Some tablets need that water should be allowed to sit for 30 minutes after dropping tablet while some other start working quickly. Purification tablets are available in different prices so you can purchase according to your buying power. Before purchasing, read the recommendations for use given on label as most of tablets are formulated to handle water issues in immediate locality.

Purifying water in a camping trip is quite important. It may take sufficient time but it lessens the chances of picking up bacteria that can cause damage to digestive system. All three methods mentioned above take maximum thirty minutes to purify water so do not avoid using one of these methods before drinking water.